flatwound, again

I use Ernie Ball flats 45-65-80-100 on my RIC 4003. This is my second flat set I put on this bass, and the only type of flat I've ever used (the only type I can get here ).
The problem is that I feel the E string is dead, and I get ZERO response from it. It was pretty much the same with my first flat set.
Is this a known problem with Ernie Ball flats?
How are D'Addario or Dean Markley flats?
Thanks.